Part 17 (2/2)
”What do you mean?” she demanded. ”I know you're a constable, but what do you want of my father? Oh, please tell me, quick!”
”Now don't get excited, Miss,” Mr. Dobbins kindly replied, looking with admiration upon the excited young figure before him. ”Remember, I've nothin' against your father. Haven't I shod every horse he had since he came to this place, long before you were born. He's been a good customer of mine, and I ain't got nothin' agin him. I'm only doin' my duty as a constable.”
”But I don't understand, Mr. Dobbins. You come here to arrest my father and----”
”Only to serve the summons, Miss,” interrupted the blacksmith. ”I ain't goin' to arrest him. He'll be asked to appear at the trial, that's all.”
”Trial! what trial?”
”Oh, it's in connection with a cow.”
”A cow!”
”Yes. It seems that Si Farrington's hired man, Pete Davis, was takin' away the Stickles' only cow, when your father appeared on the scene, cut the rope, set the cow free, and sent Joe off in a hurry. Farrington's in a rage, and says he'll make the parson smart fer what he did. He's goin' to take legal action, and so I've been sent to serve the summons. That's all I know about it, Miss. I'm real sorry, but what else could I do?”
Nellie made no reply when the man ceased. Words would not come. Her bosom heaved, and she placed her hand to her forehead in an abstracted manner.
Her eyes were fixed full upon the constable's face, though she did not see him. Her thoughts were away from that room, out through the storm and darkness to an old grey-headed man battling somewhere with the tempest, for the sake of others. What had happened? What would he think when he reached home to find out what Farrington was doing?
The constable s.h.i.+fted uneasily from one foot to the other in an embarra.s.sed manner before those pathetic eyes. He clutched his cap more firmly in his hands, and shuffled towards the door.
”Guess I'll go now, Miss,” he stammered. ”I'll step up the road to make a call and come back again. Maybe your father will be home then.”
Nellie hardly heard the door open and close as the constable pa.s.sed out into the night. She stood for awhile as if dazed, then sinking into a nearby chair she buried her face in her hands. The wind howled and roared outside, and the snow dashed and swirled against the window. A big grey cat rose from its position before the fire, came and rubbed its sleek fur against her dress, and gently purred for some attention. But Nellie did not heed it. How dark all seemed to her! One thing after another! Why were these clouds gathering so thick over her dear father's head? It did not seem possible that he could be kept in ignorance much longer. It was sure to be revealed through this last trouble.
A sound fell upon her ears which made her look quickly up. Was it the wind? She listened with fast-beating heart. Again it came--a pathetic whinny out in the yard. She sprang to her feet, and rushed to the back door. She knew that call, for how often had she heard it! Midnight was there, standing almost at the threshold. Her dim form could be seen as Nellie peered out. She hurried forth, heedless of the pelting storm, expecting to hear her father's voice. But no cheery greeting met her, neither could she find the sleigh. Feeling around with her hands she felt the trailing shafts, and the awful truth flashed upon her. An accident had happened! And what of her father? Forgetting the horse she turned back into the house, seized a cloak, threw it over her shoulders, and hurried out into the storm. How the wind did roar about her as she waded and half stumbled through the drifts, which were now filling the road. Anxiety lent speed to her feet. She dashed on her way, and at length almost breathless reached the Larkins' house. Upon the door she beat with her hands, and after what seemed a long time Mr. Larkins made his appearance.
”Nellie! Nellie!” he exclaimed in affright, as she staggered into the room. ”What in the world is the matter? Tell me, quick!”
”F-father's--had--an--a-a-ccident. Midnight came home without the sleigh--dragging the shafts--oh, what can we do?”
”Do?” was the reply. ”We shall do what we can! I shall harness the horses at once, get several of the neighbors, and go in search of him. Don't worry too much, Nellie. To be pitched out of the sleigh in the soft snow is not so bad. No doubt we shall meet him and Dan plodding wearily along.”
This the worthy man said to calm Nellie's fears, though in his own heart there was real anxiety, and he was not long in placing the horses fast to the big sled. But before he left he stopped to turn Midnight into the barn floor, threw on her blanket, and left her quietly munching a liberal supply of hay.
Mrs. Larkins was not long in making her appearance, and did what she could to bring comfort to Nellie's anxious heart. She also went with her back to the Rectory to await her husband's return. How the time did drag by! At every wild gust of wind Nellie started and trembled. At length, however, the faint sound of bells was heard, and scarcely had the panting, snow-flecked horses stopped at the door ere Nellie, bare-headed, and with a shawl over her shoulders, appeared.
”Father, father!” she cried, as she rushed forward, and peered into the familiar face. ”Are you safe?”
”Yes, dearie. I am home again,” came the feeble response.
”Oh, thank G.o.d!” she replied, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissing him again and again. ”What a night this has been--a horrible nightmare!”
”Come, la.s.sie,” demanded the doctor. ”Away with you into the house. What are you doing out here in such a storm? We'll look after your dad.”
Chapter XVI
For Sweet Love's Sake
<script>